Greece’s Shipping Ministry is seeking an operator for connections involving Astypalaia, Kos and Pserimos from November 1, with expressions of interest due October 16.
Greece’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy has issued a call for an operator to serve ferry routes linking Kalymnos with Astypalaia, Kos and Pserimos. The proposed services comprise four weekly round trips, increasing to five during a 13-week period in summer 2027.
Dated October 14, 2026, the invitation concerns a public service contract intended to meet urgent transport needs. Services would run from November 1, 2026, until the tender procedure is completed and the relevant contract is signed, no later than October 31, 2027.
The proposed services are:
| Route — return included | Frequency | Contract payment per complete round trip |
|---|---|---|
| Kalymnos–Astypalaia | Twice weekly | €5,207.10 |
| Kalymnos–Kos–Astypalaia | Once weekly | €4,488.00 |
| Kalymnos–Pserimos–Kos–Astypalaia | Once weekly, plus an additional weekly service from May 31 to August 29, 2027 | €11,030.40 |
For the Kalymnos–Kos–Astypalaia route, the subsidised section is Kos–Astypalaia and return. The amounts listed are contract payments to the operator, rather than passenger fares.
The Kalymnos–Pserimos–Kos–Astypalaia service includes an obligation to provide free travel for residents of Astypalaia and Pserimos to and from Kalymnos.
The invitation requires a passenger and vehicle ferry with a minimum capacity of 150 passengers in winter and 250 in summer, an overall length of at least 60 metres, and 300 square metres of vehicle loading space, including 120 square metres suitable for trucks.
Operators must submit expressions of interest by Friday, October 16, 2026, at 2 p.m., followed by the required supporting documents by Tuesday, October 20, at 10 a.m.
The invitation seeks an operator; it does not confirm a contract award or departure times.
